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Biology Pre-Physician Assistant Studies

Transform lives as a physician assistant, and change your life, too.

Physician Assistants (PA) directly impact the quality of their patients’ lives. As a PA, you’ll work under the supervision of a physician to diagnose injuries and illnesses, provide treatment plans, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. It’s a profession with flexibility and agility that responds to health care demands, allowing you to move from specialty to specialty.

The Biology Pre-Physician Assistant Studies program provides a well-rounded education in biological sciences, preparing you to apply for master’s level programs leading to certification as a physician assistant. Upon completion of a PA master’s program, you’ll be prepared for success in the field as a physician assistant.

*Saint Mary’s Biology Pre-Physician Assistant Studies B.A. program is not designed to meet educational requirements for PA licensure in any jurisdiction. Students complete coursework to prepare for licensure within a master’s level PA program.

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Program Highlights

The biology pre-physician assistant studies major provides an immersive, well-rounded education in biological sciences — preparing you as you apply for graduate programs that will take you on the next step toward pursuing certification as a physician assistant.

Unique Program Features

What Makes it Special:

  • Supportive, dedicated faculty
  • State-of-the-art labs and classrooms

What You'll Learn

What You’ll Learn

  • Be clinically and professionally prepared to deliver health care services
  • Develop critical thinking and application skills
  • Provide compassionate and comprehensive patient care
  • Effectively work with diverse colleagues in team situations
  • Ethical leadership and collaborative skills

Course Catalog

The Biology Pre-Physician Assistant Studies major is a four-year course of instruction that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Saint Mary’s committed faculty advisers will work closely with you to ensure all prerequisite requirements are met and you’re prepared to successfully compete for entrance into a master’s-level physician assistant program.

Careers that look to the future.

Physician assistants are in-demand healthcare professionals. Nationally certified and state-licensed, PAs diagnose and treat illness and disease, and prescribe medication for patients. Jobs for PAs are expected to grow 31% from 2020-30, much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2021, the median annual salary for a PA was $121,530.1

Participate in and complete master-level physician assistant program to pursue a career as a physician assistant

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